KEY INFO
LOCATION Grandview Lookout Tower to South Kaibab Trailhead
DISTANCE 23.5 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION See turnaround note in trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATION Tusayan Greenway Trailhead (passage mile 16.1)
DIFFICULTY Easy
LAND MANAGERS Kaibab National Forest, Tusayan Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab, 928-638-2443; Grand Canyon National Park, nps.gov/grca, 928-638-7888 for general visitor information
RECOMMENDED MONTHS April–November
GATEWAY COMMUNITY See Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village.
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS See “The Grand Canyon: A Geological Masterpiece”.
Starting from the Grandview Lookout Tower, the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) follows the Tusayan Bike Paths toward Tusayan and then enters Grand Canyon National Park. In the park it makes use of old doubletracks and bike paths toward Yaki Point and the South Kaibab Trailhead.
Across FR 310, west of the Grandview Lookout Tower, is a parking lot that has a trail sign noting a bike trail and a distance of 16 miles to Tusayan. Passage 37 begins by heading west through open forest. It crosses a road at mile 1.3 and continues west.
Eventually the trail drops into an unnamed canyon and comes to Watson Tank at mile 4.4. Depending on the time of year, this tank might have water in it, but it’s not reliable.
From the tank, the trail goes about 0.2 mile, turns right (north), and climbs up to FR 303. The route follows this road for about 1.7 miles to a junction with FR 303D at mile 6.2. Turn right (north) here and stay on this dirt road for about 0.5 mile, until it ends at mile 7.3.
TURNAROUND NOTE: Depending on the time of year and your endurance, turnaround spots for day-trippers may include Watson Tank (passage mile 4.4), FR 2709 (passage mile 10.3), or the town of Tusayan (passage mile 16.1).
Continuing north, the trail heads south about 0.5 mile and arrives at a gate and FR 2710B. Turn right (north) and follow this road to mile 8.7, a junction with FR 2710. Take FR 2710 north about 0.25 mile to FR 9122E, and turn left (southwest) on FR 9122E.
Follow FR 9122E until it reaches FR 2709 at mile 10.3. This road is also known as Bike Route #2 on the Tusayan Bike Trail map. Follow Bike Route #2 to Bike Route #1, which takes you very close to Tusayan and then turns to the north.
The bike trail crosses under the highway through a large concrete culvert and ends at AZ 64/US 180, 0.3 mile north of Tusayan. This point is 0.4 mile south of the Forest Service Tusayan Ranger Station.
There is a trail junction here at mile 16.1. Left (south) connects to the Tusayan Greenway Trailhead. The AZT heads north (right) here, paralleling the highway and crossing FR 328 at mile 16.5 and then an open area that was once the site of the old Moqui Lodge. Just beyond is an archway marking the entrance into Grand Canyon National Park.
The route is now on an old doubletrack that has been reconditioned into a bicycle and pedestrian trail. Follow this Greenway Trail to Mather Campground at mile 21.2, and then continue northeast along the well-marked path for another 2 miles. This path crosses paved roads, and although traffic is usually moving slowly, beware of drivers from around the world who are likely to be distracted by one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world outside their window. The Greenway Trail proceeds into the parking lot and the South Kaibab Trailhead, marking the end of Passage 37.
Watching the sun set over the Grand Canyon is an experience unlike any other.
This entire passage is excellent for mountain biking. Bike paths run through some beautifully forested areas with minimal elevation change. The route into the park allows a nearly car-free experience all the way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. For more information about mountain biking along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, visit aztrail.org.
Follow Grand Canyon National Park’s Rim Drive (AZ 64) to its southernmost dip, about 11 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. From this junction, follow FR 310 (Coconino Rim Drive) 1.3 miles south to the trailhead.
The beauty and immensity of the Grand Canyon are best appreciated by hiking into its depths.
Take a shuttle from Grand Canyon Village, near the intersection of US 180 and AZ 64, because there is no overnight parking or camping at the trailhead. The park guide you’ll receive at the entrance kiosk provides information, as do the park’s visitor centers.